Iga Świątek Criticized for Ball Boy Incident During Indian Wells Semifinal Loss

During her Indian Wells semifinal against Mirra Andreeva, Iga Świątek hit a ball toward a ball boy in frustration, sparking criticism from fans. The incident led to boos from the crowd before Świątek lost 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-3. Social media users urged her to show more sportsmanship, while Andreeva went on to claim the tournament title.

Iga Świątek faced criticism during her Indian Wells semifinal match against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva after an incident involving a ball boy. The Polish star, who was on a 10-match winning streak at the tournament, expressed visible frustration during the third set. As a ball boy tossed her a ball, she forcefully swatted it back in his direction, prompting the young assistant to step aside just in time to avoid contact.

The moment, captured on video and widely shared online, drew immediate reaction from the crowd, with many booing Świątek before play resumed. Despite her efforts to regain composure, she struggled in the final set, ultimately falling to Andreeva 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-3. The young Russian went on to win the tournament, solidifying her rise in women’s tennis.

Following the match, social media was abuzz with reactions, with many fans calling Świątek out for what they perceived as unsportsmanlike behavior. Some expressed disappointment, urging her to show more grace in defeat.

"I think you should apologize to that ball boy and to your fans like me for your behavior in your loss to Andreeva," one fan commented on Instagram. "It is not fitting for such a champion."

Another supporter wrote, "I’m a big fan of yours, Iga, and have been for a long time. But I was disappointed with your actions around the ball boy in Indian Wells. I hope you can learn to show more grace when you lose."

Despite the controversy, Świątek has yet to publicly address the incident, instead shifting her focus to her upcoming tournaments, including her next matches in Stuttgart, Germany.